KUCHING, Dec 26 — Sarawak DAP today denied that it had ordered its members to put up the party’s flags and banners across parts of the state capital of Kuching, saying this was likely the work of overeager supporters.

Chong Chieng Jen, chairman of DAP’s Sarawak chapter, advised these supporters, however, to wait until polls are called before putting up the materials, saying this would unnecessarily land the party in trouble with the authorities.

“For the time being because we do not have elections now, do not put up the flags yet and do not give opportunities to the authorities, including the Election Commission (EC) and the police to take action against our party,” he told reporters after lodging a police report at the Kuching district police headquarters here this afternoon.

DAP flags spotted around the 40-foot hornbill statue along Tun Jugah Road in Kuching, December 26, 2015. — Picture by Sulok Tawie

“When the time comes, help us in the campaign,” he said, adding that he lodged the report to tell the EC and the police that that flags and banners were put up without the party’s approval.

Chong, who is also the Kota Sentosa state lawmaker, said he believes that the flags and banners were put up early this morning by supporters who have grown impatient with the federal government.

The materials were found hung at strategic locations across the capital, including near the Kuching International Airport and Friendship Park at Song Road. They were were later removed by the DAP.

Those put up around the 40-foot hornbill statue at Tun Jugah Road, however, have not been taken down.

“I cannot pinpoint who put up those flags and banners, but I understand that our supporters and members of the public cannot wait any longer to have the state elections and to send a strong message to the Barisan Nasional (BN) for (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) to step down.

“They want the elections to be held as soon as possible,” the Bandar Kuching federal lawmaker said.